Productivity, and composition of smooth and meadow bromegrass mixtures with alfalfa under frequent cutting management

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Pearen ◽  
V. S. Baron
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Cutting Management ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Tiller Density

The value of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.)–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures for pastures in central Alberta is limited by poor seasonal distribution of yield and low alfalfa persistence. Regrowth of meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) exceeds that of smooth bromegrass. The effect of these grasses on yield, seasonal distribution and sward composition when grown in mixtures with alfalfa was evaluated. The DM yield of binary mixtures of Carlton or Manchar smooth bromegrass, or Regar meadow bromegrass with Peace or Beaver alfalfa was examined under a four-cut system at three sites in central Alberta for 3 yr. Annual yield was similar at all sites. Alfalfa cultivar did not consistently affect yield, but annual yield of meadow bromegrass-mixtures was 9 to 19% higher than mixture containing smooth bromegrass at Lacombe. Summer and fall production of meadow bromegrass mixtures was 18 to 53% and 40 to 69% greater (P ≤ 0.0001) than smooth bromegrass mixtures. Tiller weight of smooth bromegrass equalled or exceeded that of meadow bromegrass, so superior regrowth of meadow bromegrass mixtures was due to higher tiller density. Over 3 yr, annual yield of the alfalfa component was similar in smooth bromegrass- and meadow bromegrass mixtures, but alfalfa yield decreased (P ≤ 0.0001) 43 to 70% due to dramatic declines in alfalfa stem density. Competition from the associated grass and frequent defoliation reduced alfalfa longevity. Key words: Smooth bromegrass, Bromus inermis Leyss., alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., mixtures, pasture, sward structure

scholarly journals Productivity and composition of bromegrass alfalfa mixtures for hay in the Aspen Parklands of western Canada

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Pearen ◽  
V. S. Baron ◽  
I. W. Cowan
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Tiller Density

Dry matter yield of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) - alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures is restricted by short growing seasons and poor legume persistence in the Aspen Parklands of western Canada. Meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) has recently gained acceptance, but comparative information on smooth and meadow bromegrass in grass-alfalfa mixtures is unavailable. We examined DM yield of binary grass-legume mixtures containing either Carlton or Manchar smooth bromegrass or Regar meadow bromegrass with Peace or Beaver alfalfa under a two-cut hay-management system at four sites in central Alberta for 3 yr. Annual DM yield was 40% greater (P ≤ 0.0001) at sites near Lacombe (7570 kg ha−1) than at Bluffton and Vegreville (5420 kg ha−1). Dry matter yield of smooth bromegrass mixtures (8020 kg ha−1) was 20% higher (P ≤ 0.01) than that of meadow bromegrass mixtures (6690 kg ha−1) near Lacombe. Alfalfa DM yield was 2.1 times higher at Bluffton and Vegreville (2770 kg ha−1) than near Lacombe (1300 kg ha−1). Near Lacombe, alfalfa regrowth was suppressed (P ≤ 0.0001) by smooth bromegrass, which had 2.3 times larger (P < 0.001) tillers than meadow bromegrass at first cut. At Bluffton and Vegreville, DM yield of meadow bromegrass mixtures equalled or exceeded (P ≤ 0.05) that of smooth bromegrass mixtures. Although first-cut tiller weight of smooth bromegrass was 73% more (P ≤ 0.0001) than that of meadow bromegrass at Bluffton and Vegreville, tiller density of meadow bromegrass was 1.7 times greater (P ≤ 0.0001) than that of smooth bromegrass. Results indicate that smooth bromegrass mixtures were superior to meadow bromegrass mixtures for hay production at moist fertile locations, despite reduced alfalfa persistence. At drier or less fertile sites, however, DM yield of meadow bromegrass mixtures was higher than that of smooth bromegrass mixtures when weather conditions for regrowth were favourable. Key words: Bromegrass-alfalfa mixtures, hay, parklands

NITROGENASE ACTIVITY OF ALFALFA GROWN ALONE AND IN MIXTURE WITH GRASS UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 787-791
Author(s):  
H. A. BURITY ◽  
B. E. COULMAN ◽  
M. A. FARIS
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L ◽  
Phleum Pratense L ◽  
Nodule Tissue

A greenhouse experiment has shown that total nitrogenase activity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is not significantly affected when grown in association with timothy (Phleum pratense L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) or orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) except after initial harvest when decreased alfalfa activity was associated with smooth bromegrass or orchardgrass. It was concluded that mixed cultures of alfalfa with timothy, smooth bromegrass or orchardgrass have no effect on alfalfa N2 fixation. The results also suggest the occurrence of N transference from alfalfa to associated grasses. It is speculated that this transfer is not primarily due to the death of roots and nodule tissue (after harvest), but involves some degree of N excretion during the period before initial harvest.Key words: Alfalfa-grass mixtures, N2-fixation, nodule activity, N-transference

Productivity and sustainability of four grazed grass – alfalfa mixtures

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. Holt ◽  
P. G. Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Russian Wildrye ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Forage Yields

Forage grasses need to be evaluated in pasture trials in the Great Plains region of North America. The objective of this study was to compare four grass–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures for productivity and persistence when grazed during spring and summer. The grasses were Altai wildrye (Leymus angustus [Trin.] Pilger), intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia [Host] Nevski), meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn. B. biebersteinii Roem. & Schult.) and Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys junceus [Fisch.] Nevski), with grass rows seeded perpendicular to the alfalfa rows. Two sites, 4 km apart, were grazed with yearling beef cattle from 1987 to 1993. Forage yield differed among grass treatments in 4 of 5 years, but differences were inconsistent over time. Five-year mean forage yields and total livestock production were not significantly different among the four grasses. Mean annual forage yields ranged from 800 to 8170 kg ha−1 and were related to the amount of growing season (April–August) precipitation. Carrying capacity ranged from 35 steer grazing days per hectare in 1992 to 176 in 1991. Grasses in the mixtures did have a significant effect on the grass–alfalfa ratio and on ground cover. Alfalfa content was highest when grown with Altai wildrye and lowest when grown with Russian wildrye. Percentage of ground cover by the grass plus alfalfa increased from an average of 3.8% in 1987 to 16.1% at one site and 31.9% at the second site by 1993. Russian wildrye contained the least alfalfa and weeds after 7 yr. Intermediate wheatgrass and Altai wildrye did not compete with invading weeds at one site, or with alfalfa at the other, and should not be recommended for spring–summer pastures in semiarid regions. Meadow bromegrass maintained a balance of grass and alfalfa and further research should confirm its persistence in semiarid climates. Key words: Leymus angustus, Elytrigia intermedia, Bromus riparius, Psathyrostachys junceus, Medicago sativa, grazing with cattle

Performance of alfalfa strains grown in mixture with smooth bromegrass as affected by management

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1029-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Bittman ◽  
J. Waddington ◽  
D. H. McCartney
Keyword(s):  
Binary Mixture ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

This study was conducted to evaluate the yield and persistence of seven contrasting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. sensu lato) strains growing in binary mixture with smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) under different fertilizer and cutting managements. The alfalfa strains were seeded in mixtures with smooth bromegrass in 1980 in northeast Saskatchewan and harvested each year, 1982 through 1987. Two fertilizer treatments (0 and 18 kg ha−1 P) and two cutting managements (2 and 3-4 cuts) were imposed annually. The application of P fertilizer increased the total yield (6-yr average) from 1.47 t ha−1 in control plots to 2.52 t ha−1 in the fertilized plots. Frequent cutting reduced average total yield from 2.59 t ha−1 (2-cut system) to 1.4 t ha−1. Fertility and cutting management did not affect the proportion of alfalfa or weeds in the harvested herbage. The alfalfa strain significantly affected total yield and the proportion of alfalfa and weeds throughout the years of this study. The strain ScMf3713, a M. sativa subsp. falcata (L.) Arcang. type, outyielded all entries during the last 3 yr of this study. The study suggests that alfalfa strains of the falcata subspecies germplasm showed superior long-term performance when the alfalfa was grown in a binary mixture with bromegrass. Key words: Medicago sativa L., falcata, Bromus inermis Leyss., phosphorus, simulated grazing

Grazing tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago spp.) under continuous and rotational stocking systems in pure stands and in mixture with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn. B. biebersteinii Roem & Schult)

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Katepa-Mupondwa ◽  
A. Singh ◽  
S. R. Smith Jr. ◽  
W. P. McCaughey
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Grazing Tolerance ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass

The continuing development of adapted alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars that combine high yield, disease resistance, winterhardiness, and grazing tolerance is of great value to the beef cattle industry in western Canada. This study evaluated alternative management strategies and plant measurements for assessing the grazing tolerance of alfalfa cultivars over 3 yr. Seven hay-type, four pasture-type, and one dual-purpose (hay or graze) cultivars were established in pure stands and in mixture with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn.B. biebersteinii Roem & Schult). Stands were defoliated under continuous or rotational stocking with beef cattle (Bos taurus). Plants we reassessed for winterhardiness, percent alfalfa within row, percent alfalfa cover, basal area and species composition. Continuous stocking resulted in consistent and significant differences between cultivars, whether persistence was measured as percent alfalfa within row, percent cover and basal area, in both pure and mixed stands (P < 0.05). High correlations between measurement techniques (r = 0.74 to 0.99; P < 0.05) confirmed the value of alfalfa within row and alfalfa cover as time and labour efficient methods to evaluate grazing persistence. Competition between alfalfa and meadow bromegrass resulted in a significant confounding effect under rotational stocking (P < 0.05). Winter injury was identified as an important criteria to evaluate for grazing persistence. The most grazing-tolerant genotypes were selected for subsequent breeding efforts to combine winterhardiness, grazing tolerance, and high productivity. This research showed that grazing method, grass competition, and severe winter conditions strongly influence differential survival of alfalfa cultivars under grazing in western Canada. Key words: Alfalfa, grazing tolerance, grazing systems, Medicago sativa L., Medicago falcata L. Arcang, persistence

Success hybrid bromegrass

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Coulman
Keyword(s):  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Cultivar Description ◽  
Plant Characteristics ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Forage Yields ◽  
Prairie Provinces

Success hybrid bromegrass was selected from populations produced by backcrossing smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) with hybrid populations resulting from crosses between meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) and smooth bromegrass. Success has a unique array of plant characteristics, some similar to meadow bromegrass, and others more similar to smooth bromegrass; overall, it more closely resembles smooth brome. In regional trials in the prairie provinces of western Canada, Success produced forage yields greater than meadow brome, but lower than smooth bromegrass. In the drier brown soil zone of the prairie provinces, Success was superior to both meadow and smooth bromegrass in forage yield. It was superior to smooth bromegrass in regrowth after cutting and had lower concentrations of acid-detergent fiber than meadow bromegrass. Key words: Hybrid bromegrass, Bromus riparius × Bromus inermis, cultivar description

Knowles hybrid bromegrass

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 815-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Coulman
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Parental Species ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Cultivar Description ◽  
Plant Characteristics ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass

Knowles was selected from hybrid populations resulting from crosses between meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) and smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.). It has a unique array of plant characteristics, some similar to meadow bromegrass, and others more similar to smooth bromegrass. In regional trials, Knowles produced hay yields greater than meadow brome, but lower than smooth bromegrass. It was superior to smooth bromegrass in regrowth after cutting. For steer grazing performance, Knowles was equal or superior to its parental species, perhaps due to its lower fiber concentrations at vegetative growth stages. Key words: Hybrid bromegrass, Bromus riparius × Bromus inermis, cultivar description

Water potentials of seeds of Bromus inermis and Medicago sativa imbibed on media of various osmotic potentials

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (17) ◽  
pp. 1997-1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. T. McDonough
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Smooth Brome ◽  
Thermocouple Psychrometer ◽  
Water Potentials ◽  
The Media ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Brome Grass ◽  
Osmotic Potentials

Seeds of smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cultivar Ladak) were allowed to imbibe in water or solutions of polyethylene glycol (Carbowax 1540), mannitol, or sodium chloride. Seed water potentials were determined over a 72-h period after transfer of seeds to thermocouple psychrometer chambers. Seed water potentials were lower than osmotic potentials of the media, but these two potentials were not clearly related to each other. Possible reasons for the lack of gradation in response are discussed.

EFFECTS OF EARLY SUMMER AND FALL CUTTING MANAGEMENT ON DRY MATTER YIELDS, DIGESTIBILITY, CRUDE PROTEIN, AND SURVIVAL OF SARANAC AND NARRAGANSETT ALFALFAS

1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 941-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. MacLEOD ◽  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
F. W. CALDER
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Good Survival ◽  
Considerable Decrease ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Cutting Management

The effects of early summer and fall cutting managements on two alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars were studied over a 3-year period. Removal of the first crop of Saranac and Narrangansett alfalfas at prebud stage, followed by two cuts at the early bloom stage before early September, and a late fall harvest on October 25, produced seasonal dry matter (DM) yields of 7.5–8.6 metric T/ha in the 1st year. Stand deterioration, however, was severe and by the 3rd year, practically all alfalfa had disappeared. Average percent crude protein (CP) in cut 1 was 17.7–21.9 and percent in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVD) 67.4–73.8. Removal of the first cut at bud stage with two subsequent harvests at the early bloom stage also allowed a total of three harvests before early September and resulted in seasonal DM yields of 8.6–8.8 in the 1st year. Although the survival of alfalfa was increased over the managements where cut 1 was at prebud stage, a considerable decrease of alfalfa was still observed in the 3rd year. Under this management, average CP in cut 1 was 15.8–16.3 and IVD 64.1–68.4. Harvesting the first crop at early to midbloom stage and the second crop at early bloom in early to mid-August, followed by third harvest in late October, resulted in good survival with seasonal DM yields of 6.1–10.6. Lower CP and IVD were recorded in cut 1 than in the more intensive managements. Under all managements, average CP in cuts 2 and 3 was 14.9–17.3 and 13.3–19.4, respectively. IVD was 54.5–60.7 in cut 2 and 56.0–64.4 in cut 3.

Establishment and productivity of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or alfalfa- hybrid bromegrass mixtures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Foster ◽  
Bill Biligetu
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Aqueous Extract ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Allelopathic Effect ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Astragalus Cicer

Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) (CMV) is a non-bloating, perennial legume that has shown persistence under grazing. Limited information is available on its seedling establishment and subsequent forage yield and nutritive value in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures. Field plots were seeded in May 2013 at Melfort, SK, Canada to evaluate ‘Oxley II’ cicer milkvetch performance in ‘AC Grazeland’ alfalfa or alfalfa and ‘AC Success’ hybrid bromegrass (Bromus riparius × B. inermis) mixtures from 2014 to 2017. Two controlled environment tests were also conducted by treating seeds of CMV using alfalfa root aqueous extract. Seed germination and seedling height of CMV were significantly reduced in aqueous extract. In field, establishment of CMV in a mixture containing alfalfa was reduced, and CMV dry matter proportion in the mixture increased only 3.5% over three years. Increasing CMV seeding rate did not increase its DM percent in the mixtures, indicating a high allelopathic effect of alfalfa. Forage DM yield of all mixtures was linearly correlated to the proportion of alfalfa, and adding hybrid brome did not increase the DM yield. Forage DM yield was higher for the three-cut than the two-cut treatments for CMV-alfalfa mixtures, but there was no difference between the cutting frequency for CMV-alfalfa- hybrid brome mixtures. Fiber concentrations decreased linearly with increased CMV seeding rate in the mixtures. This study showed CMV establishment in alfalfa mixtures was reduced in a same row seeding, and the allelopathic effect was not reduced by lower alfalfa seeding rates or adding a grass.

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